Citation

Beakey M, Roe M, Tiernan S, Keenan B, Collins K. Clin. J. Sport. Med. 2018; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

Department of Science, Institute of Technology, Tallaght, Dublin, Ireland.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine, Publisher Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/JSM.0000000000000597

PMID

29634653

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine the self-recalled concussion and bell ringer (BR) prevalence, reporting rates, and reporting behaviors in adolescent rugby players.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: School classroom. PARTICIPANTS: Adolescent male rugby players aged 12 to 18 years (n = 866). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Concussion and BR prevalence, reporting rates, and reporting behaviors.

RESULTS: The sample reported a concussion and BR prevalence rate of 40% and 69.9%, respectively. Of these athletes with a history, 38.4% and 86.4% suffered recurrent concussions and BRs, respectively. The total reporting rates per 1000 suspected concussions and BRs were 474.8 [95% confidence interval (CI), 415.4-534.3] and 238.7 (95% CI, 217.8-259.5), respectively. The athletes highlighted several barriers which hindered their truthful reporting of concussion, including "not thinking the injury is serious enough to report" (70%), "wanting to win the game" (38%), and "not wanting to miss future games or training" (48%).

CONCLUSIONS: Educational interventions are an invaluable component within a socioecological framework aimed at improving the concussion reporting rates of adolescent athletes. The self-recalled prevalence, underreporting rates, and behaviors of the sample are alarming, which prompts the need to further explore their motivational beliefs behind their decision to underreport a potential concussion. The information obtained can be used to tailor personalized interventions for specific athlete samples.

Language: en